Keepers of 306, an action initiative of the National Civil Rights Museum that engages civic-minded young leaders, will host a live-streamed town hall entitled “Where Do We Go from Here? Economic Justice” next week.
The town hall event will broadcast on the museum’s website and Facebook Live on Tuesday (Sept. 29), beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT.
The goal of the virtual forum is to raise awareness of the economic inequities facing the nation and the measures every Memphian and American can take to mobilize change.
A panel of national and local leaders will discuss topics, including creating economic impact for communities of color through workforce development, community development, entrepreneurship, ownership, policy change, and voting.
president, National Civil Rights Museum
(Photo: Johnathan Martin)
“As we again examine the question asked by Dr. King – ‘Where do we go from here?’ – the issue of economic justice remains front and center,” said Terri Lee Freeman, President of the National Civil Rights Museum.
“This year we’ve seen the disproportionate effects of an economic downturn on Black and Brown people. We know the wealth gap between Whites and Blacks has continued to grow. How do we address this today to have a real impact on people’s lives? This is why today’s conversation is so important.”
September’s virtual town hall marks the second of the series, which was prompted by the museum’s mission to be a source for education and action during these unprecedented times. The first virtual town hall discussed the value of voting in the 2020 elections with national voices, including CNN commentator Bakari Sellers and Tennessee State Sen. Raumesh Akbari.
“The goal of ‘Where do we go from here: to the polls!’ was to implore our viewers to become civicly engaged and activate change,” said Trevia Chatman, Chair of Keepers of 306. “Voting is our power and our voice. While voting is detrimental and necessary, it is not the only tool to overcome years of intentional oppression.
“In this second town hall, we will expose the systemic economic injustice of poverty that continuously plagues communities of color and discuss the impact necessary to create economic justice. It is time to organize and dismantle the intentional creation of generational poverty like never before.”
The museum’s Dr. Noelle Trent, director of Interpretation, Collections & Education, will give historical context to economic disenfranchisement of the Black community and specific instances of.
A panel of educators, community activists and representatives will be moderated by Tracie Potts, senior Washington correspondent for NBC News Channel. Potts has reported for NBC for over 20 years covering politics, medical research and health policy.
Panelists include:
- Andre M. Perry, author, national commentator on race, structural inequality, and education;
- Rashawn Ray, professor of Sociology and executive director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research (LASSR) at the University of Maryland, College Park;
- Dr. Stacy Spencer, senior pastor of New Direction Christian Church, Chair of MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition of Action and Hope); and
- Stefanie Brown James, co-founder, executive director of The Collective in Washington, DC.
(For more details and RSVP information, visit http://civilrightsmuseum.org/keepers-of-306.)
